September 2023 - Learning Stewards

Bill Gates: AI will be teaching kids literacy within 18 months

November 2, 2023September 8, 2023 by Learning-Activist

The title is taken from Gates’ comments at the Stage X at the 2023 ASU+GSV Summit. What instructional models will the AI literacy tutors of the future be using? Will they assume phonics, structured word inquiry, or one of the other bottoms-up decoding-based word recognition models? Will they use personalized decodable texts and top down … Read more

Please Help Us Prepare: Climate Change

September 7, 2023September 7, 2023 by Learning-Activist

Even if you deny the warnings of climate science, there’s no denying the effects of climate change. Extreme weather has now become so commonplace that insurance companies will no longer cover weather related natural disasters. Think about that. It won’t be long before life, health, property, and even auto insurance premiums will all be more … Read more

Critical Terms in Reading Science and Instruction – 1

November 29, 2025September 4, 2023 by Learning-Activist

Dr. Andrew Johnson is a Reading Specialist and a Distinguished Faculty Scholar and Professor of Literacy at Minnesota State University. I, David Boulton, am a Learning Activist with Learning Stewards. Dr. Johnson and I have very different views about reading and the process of learning to read. We agreed to learn together and respectfully challenge … Read more

Ultimately what’s going to shift the behavior of the country over the long-term is understanding how fundamental this [healthy learning] is to everybody through the economic channel. …We must come up with a way of describing, measuring, and supporting the health of children’s learning. It is the unhealthy learning environments that are the problem.

Yes, that’s the message. That’s the message you’ve got to get across. Arthur Rolnick Senior V.P. and Director of Research at the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, and Associate Economist with the Federal Open Market Committee.

It’s not that somebody ‘knows’ the current science, because the current science might be wrong. But it’s that somebody knows how to learn about new science, and adapt. It’s also how they learn to adapt to workplaces… how to learn to do something that they had never even thought about doing when they were in school. That’s the key element. Dr. Eric Hanushek Paul and Jean Hanna Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution of Stanford University.

So then the fundamental intention of our education system must be to use knowledge, skills and experience not just as the end, but as the means through which we’re exercising how well someone is able to participate and become self-extending in learning what they need to learn when they need to learn it.

Precisely.

The Institute for the Study and Prevention of ACQUIRED Learning Disabilities.

“This is critical to the future of our society as a whole! I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation and cannot begin to put into words how powerful it was. The general message (Healthy Learning) being spread is something that everyone needs to hear and understand in order to maximize the learning and success of future generations. The one-day experience was remarkable and unforgettable!” – J. Shirron, Teacher, LodiUSD, Lodi CA

“The most powerful professional development experience I have ever had. This was truly an awakening for me! – Julie Colley Lowery, Education Specialist, Alabama State Department of Education, Special Education Services

“A Mind-Blowing Way to View Learning. While many of us have observed this effect on an intuitive level, it took writer, researcher, and learning activist David Boulton to express the problem of incomplete learning in terms of its devastating effect on kids.” – Patricia Kokinos at ChangeTheSchools.com

“You made a wonderful contribution. The topics have stimulated classroom discussions. We are extremely pleased with the impact made in our community. ALL the comments heard from the registration people, people in our classes this week, table discussion leaders etc. have been positive. You are great. The BIG picture was outstandingly FINE!” – Linda Koehler, Professor of Special Education, University of Central Missouri

“The training was extraordinary! Six months later, conversations are still occurring around thoughts from that event. It was the easiest and best event we have done! Thank you for outstanding professionalism and customer service while delivering dynamic, relevant information and challenge!” – Mary Ashe, Coordinator,The Literacy Connection Project Enlightenment, Raleigh, North Carolina

More comments about PL/PD events
NOTABLE PAST LIVE EVENTS:

Science of Educating Conference – National School Mental Health Association – 21st Century Learning Initiative – World Futurist Society – PBS: New Science of Learning – Future of Learning Keynotes for Apple – New American Schools Design Team – National Technological University – California Education Summit – Dalian Medical University (China) – International Dyslexia Association – Nebraska School Psychologists Association – South Carolina Education and Business Summit – Scientific Learning’s National Circle of Learning – Lindamood-Bell Conference – Carus Foundation – Contra Costa Literacy Coalition – Convocation for New Britain Schools – Burnaby School District – JP Associates – University of Greenville SC – ACE of Florida – Michigan Council for Exceptional Children – Florida State Literacy Coalition – United Way – Rotary International – National Center for Family Literacy – Fundamental Learning Center – Wyoming State Education Leadership

“After listening to David Boulton, who explained and played several video interviews in his (National Circle of Learning Conference) keynote address, it was as if the pieces of the puzzle magically appeared and fit into place.” – N. Schmidt, Trainer, Onondaga Cortland Madison County BOCES, Syracuse, New York

“Clear explanations that do not focus on the blame game but work toward solutions. This was a tremendous awakening! This much needed information must be spread to the masses!” – B. Smyzer, Educator

“You are doing a great service – you are a voice crying in the wilderness about a problem that is very real right now & is only going to get worse (given the ongoing demographic changes of the US) AND you are presenting the way to help (rather than just admiring the problem!) you’ve done (& continue to do) outstandingly well!!! good show! good work!” – Dr. B. Stone, Psychologist, Kansas